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Seychelles’ tropical ambience spreads in Durban’s shopping mall

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The Seychelles Tourism Board South African office brought the lush Seychelles atmosphere to Durban shoppers, through a week-long exhibition in the Getaway Mall starting from Tuesday September 24th to Monday September 30th.

Getaway is the most prominent shopping mall in Durban, and with the exhibition launch being on Heritage Day, a public holiday, there was an immense traffic to the stand.

The Seychelles stand, situated on the ground floor next to the main entrance, depicted a tropical beach scene with sun loungers where many visitors engaged with the setting, snapping photos to capture the moment.

With the STB team present, customers had the opportunity to enquire about the destination and packages on offer.

The STB office partnered with the Seychelles national carrier, Air Seychelles and One Stop tour operator for this exhibition.

In partnership with Air Seychelles, STB offered a 5-night holiday in the Seychelles to customers who participated in a small quiz, where the winner was picked after elimination.

The Seychelles Tourism Board Director for South Africa, Mrs. Lena Hoareau, when commenting on the success of the event, said “Our biggest group were the shoppers but also the revelers who had come for the entertainment. We also had people who were on holiday from other countries and this was an opportunity to update themselves on the destination and what it offers.”

Mrs. Hoareau expressed how Durban is an important catchment as they not only targeting direct travelers but also the onward traffic bound for Mumbai.

One Stop Tour operator, another of STB’s partners who helped promote the Island Destination during the exhibition, is one of Air Seychelles’ top seller for the Mumbai route. They provide hands-on information to travelers interested in including the Seychelles to their travel itinerary.

Mrs. Hoareau stressed the importance of further encouraging passengers connecting with the Air Seychelles flight to Mumbai to stop over in the Seychelles for a few days, as many only pass through for transit.

South Africa remains a very important market for the Seychelles. With the increased capacity of Air Seychelles’ A320neo, there is an expected growth in the number of visitors on the route between Johannesburg and Mahe.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

African Tourism Board and Durban ICC: Working together on Sustainable Development Goals

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At the ongoing Indaba travel industry trade show in Durban, African Tourism Board Vice President Cuthbert Ncube met with Lindiwe Rakharebe, the Chief Executive Officer of the e Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex in the city center of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

ATB VP Ncube said: “Our discussion centered on a need for a more robust approach in aligning so much diversity in terms of products from the region that can play a catalytic role that will see all countries in the region working together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Tourism plays a pivotal roll in fulfilling these.”

Lindiwe Rakharebe holds a Bachelors Degree in Management Leadership and is credited to have contributed immensely to the success of Durban ICC. The Center has won several awards under her leadership as Africas leading Meeting and Conference Centre and is rated among the world s top client-rated convention centers.

She sees the African Tourism Board playing a more direct and positive roll in acknowledging the need for a more inclusive synergy in the region. She suggested moving to a more strategic partnership in hosting African Tourism Board conferences.

Lindiwe Rakharebe proudly added: “The convention center prides itself as Africa’s leading convention center and offers the largest flat floor, column-free, multi-functional event space in Africa.

Today’s meeting was a follow-up discussion after our article: Durban loves African Tourism Board and Africa wins

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board is an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from, and within the African region. For more information and how to join, visit africantourismboard.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

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PH: (+1) 718-374-6816

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Africa Tourism Leadership Forum: Next stop Durban

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Themed “Stimulating intra-Africa Travel through thought leadership,” the 2019 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) is the only Pan-African public-private tourism leadership dialogue platform that is convened, led, and hosted by Africans in Africa. The African Tourism Board is a strategic partner for the event.

The 2019 ATLF and Awards will be hosted by Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau in Durban, under the auspices of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from August 29-30, 2019. It is convened by African Tourism Partners with the support of its key strategic partners including BDO South Africa, NEPAD, Africa Travel Associations (ATA) and Voyages Afriq.

According to Mr. Sihle Zikalala, Provincial Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal, gatherings like ATLF allow thought leaders in Africa to bring into the limelight exceptional industry developments and inspiring stakeholders who work hard to build a sustainable African travel and tourism industry.

“As the proud host of ATLF 2019, we look forward to welcoming all stakeholders from across the continent and the rest of the world, not only this innovative event but, also to experience what South Africa and our beautiful Province offer the world. ATLF is an African Project that we must all be part of and support,” says Mr. Zikalala.

The 2018 ATLF and Award edition was held in Accra in Ghana. It was hosted by the Government of Ghana through Ghana Tourism Authority and its parent Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This was attended by Tourism Ministers as well as over 500 public and private sector executives. These included representatives of UNWTO, NEPAD, Diplomatic Corps, Directors-General, global hotel brands, travel management companies, associations, regional executives of airlines, tour operators, educational institutions, researchers and many other industry professionals.

Kwakye Donkor, Africa Tourism Partners’ (ATP) CEO congratulates KwaZulu-Natal Province for winning the bid to host the 2019 ATLF and Awards. “The Provincial Leadership has truly exemplified true values of thought leadership by aiming to bring together industry leaders in Africa to Durban, to once again advance their commitment to promote intra-Africa travel, dialogue and recognize change-makers in Africa’s tourism development as a collective,” says Donkor.

Among the key focus areas of dialogue during the 2019 ATLF and Awards are:

  • The present and future imperatives of Visa Openness, E-visas and Air Connectivity
  • Outlook on the impact Business and MICE Tourism on national economies
  • What it takes for Africa to harness the multi-level Chinese outbound travel market
  • How to embrace and optimize disruptive technological innovation for intra-Africa travel
  • Delivering critical travel and tourism infrastructure with Development Finance Institutions
  • Spotlight on wildlife and biodiversity conservation as strategic tourism assets in Africa
  • Skills Development and Capacity Building across the sector value chain and more
  • Practicalities of Measuring the Return on Destination Marketing Investment

The Africa Tourism Leadership Awards recognizes the best African travel and tourism industry change-makers and innovators. For strategic partnerships, attendance or more information, please contact Ms. Nozipho Dlamini at: [email protected] and +27 81303 7030.

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